Boulder Ranger District, west of Boulder

The Boulder Ranger District encompasses over one hundred thousand acres of the Front Range in western Boulder and northern Gilpin counties. The district includes Indian Peaks and James Peak Wilderness Areas and the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway.

Many areas of the district are within an easy two-hour drive of Denver and its suburbs, making this one of the top recreation destinations in the state.

At a Glance

Operational Hours:

Doors open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; closed weekends and federal holidays. Hours for information and sales are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone before visiting for permit and pass availability.

General Information

Directions:

From I-25, exit west at Highway 119. Follow 119 to Boulder and exit Highway 119 west at Jay Road. Follow Jay Road west to Highway 36 and turn north on Highway 36. Go about one mile and watch for the Boulder Ranger District office on the east side of the highway. There is a Smokey Bear fire danger rating sign along Highway 36 in front of the building.

Recreation Map

Activities

Bicycling

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Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is a popular activity on Boulder Ranger District. Hundreds miles of forest roads and trails are open to mountain biking. In addition to lands of the Roosevelt National Forest, other local public land agencies offer many more miles of mountain biking single track trails, such as Boulder County Parks and Open Space or Jefferson County Open Space. An overview of mountain bike opportunities.

Road Cycling

Many miles of paved city, county, State and US Highways traverse Boulder Ranger District. Road cycling is a very popular activity in Boulder County, with cyclists commonly appearing on nearly any roadway. Many routes provide a paved shoulder for rider safety.

Camping & Cabins

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Campground Camping

Boulder Ranger District offers seven developed campgrounds. All are accessed from the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway (Colorado Highways 7, 72, and 119). Individual operating seasons vary, however season dates range from mid-May through late October.

Fire Information

Campfires are generally allowed, unless seasonal restrictions are in effect. Visitors may gather dead and down wood for burning while visiting the National Forest. Campgrounds with hosts offer firewood for sale; contact the campground host.

No. of Sites

260

Reservation Info

Five of Boulder Ranger District's campgrounds offer reservable campsites, and all campgrounds offer at least some sites for first come, first served. Campground reservations are made through the National Recreation Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov

Areas for Campground Camping at Boulder Ranger District, west of Boulder

Dispersed Camping

With a few exceptions, dispersed camping is allowed on National Forest System lands. Restrictions protect resources, minimize road damage, and reduce conflicts between landowners and visitors. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days in one location. After 14 days, the campsite must be moved a minimum of three miles. Camping can then continue for another 14 days. Camping is restricted to 28 days in any 60-day period. Some areas may require the use of designated campsites, and some areas, such as Indian Peaks Wilderness, require camping permits. More than 40% of lands within Boulder Ranger District's boundaries are private property. It is your responsibility to know if you are on private or public land.

Areas for Dispersed Camping at Boulder Ranger District, west of Boulder

Hiking

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Day Hiking

Boulder Ranger District offers hundreds of miles of trails for hiking. Trails in Wilderness Areas are restricted to non-mechanized modes of travel, such as hiking or horseback riding. Trails are often busy on weekends and trailhead parking is often limited.

Backpacking

Boulder Ranger District offers hundreds of miles of trails for hiking and backpacking. Trails in Wilderness Areas are restricted to non-mechanized modes of travel, such as hiking or horseback riding. Backpacking in the Indian Peaks Wilderness requires camping permits from June 1 through September 15 annually. Trails are often busy on weekends and trailhead parking is often limited.

Horse Riding & Camping

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Horse Riding

Boulder Ranger District and other local public land management agencies have many miles of trails accessible to equestrian uses. Few sites offer equestrian-specific facilities. A few areas or trails prohibit horses. Sites listed here are selected for ample parking with space for turning around trailers, or those that are generally popular for horseback riding. All livestock feed must be compliant with Order Number R2-2005-01 Weed Free Forest Products Order.

Rocks & Minerals

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Gold Panning

In 1858 and 1859, discoveries of gold in creeks near Denver, Idaho Springs and Black Hawk kicked off the Colorado Gold Rush. Hundreds of thousands of gold-seekers came to Colorado to strike it rich. Due to the influx of those seeking their fortune, most areas suitable for gold panning became patented mining claims a century ago and are now private property. This is especially true for property on or near creeks and rivers. Even if the area you wish to pan is on Forest Service property and is free of existing claims, this activity could have an environmental impact. KNOW WHERE YOU ARE: Have a map that shows property boundaries. Keep in mind that maps are not always 100% accurate. Due to the historical manner in which mining claims were surveyed and the fact that they are only 150 feet wide, a small error on the map can result in a large miscalculation. CHECK WITH THE BLM: Once you have located an area that suits your gold panning needs and you are certain it is public property, you are ready to check with the Bureau of Land Management to ensure there are no current claims on that area. The BLM will need the legal description (Section, Range, and Township) of the area to verify ownership with their records. DON"T BE A CLAIM JUMPER: If you remove any gold from someone else's claim, even if that claim is unmarked, you are committing a crime. LET US KNOW BEFORE YOU DIG: If the area is available to pan, you will need to file a "Notice of Intent" to conduct mining operations with the Forest Service district office that governs the chosen area. This is used to determine any potential impacts to historical, cultural, or natural resources and whether or not any additional paperwork is required.

Winter Sports

Skiing/Snowboarding

XC Skiing/Snowshoeing

Boulder Ranger District has many areas to offer for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Most good winter trails are west of Colorado Highways 7, 72 and 119. Those listed here can be relied on to have snow cover for most of the winter season. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center provides avalanche forecasts and safety education for the state of Colorado. Visit their website at: http://avalanche.state.co.us/index.php

Warming Shelters

none

Areas for XC Skiing/Snowshoeing at Boulder Ranger District, west of Boulder